COLOR BLOCKING

Are you mad about color but find yourself doubting how to inject it to your living room? Well, doubt no more. Here's a quick guide from our friends at House to Home that will demystify color for you. If you're in a monochromatic mood, mix textures, patterns and different shades of the color of your choice to add interest to the room. Also, with the large variety of fun wallpapers available to us now, you can pick a feature wall in your living room and use a colorful wall covering to create a focal point. One last but important tip: don't be afraid to be bold as bold can be a good thing. Dare to use combinations of colors you might have never thought of using. Accent pieces are a great way to introduce this color-blocking concept. Are you feeling adventurous now?

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A STORE WITH SOLE

One of the brands I have always admired for its creativity and clean graphics is the footwear company Camper. Their store concepts, although simple and calm, are beautiful and are designed with exquisite touches of whimsy. The new stores are developed under the Together concept, a model of collaboration between Camper and leading designers to create outstanding limited-edition stores. This one, in Genova, Italy, was done by Spanish designer Tomas Alonso. I love how he lined the walls with a grid of white ceramic tiles with a simple twist that breaks the regular pattern with geometric shapes that create a three-dimensional illusion. Not only did he came up with the overall concept, but Tomas also designed the cool furniture throughout the store.

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A TRIO TO SHOWCASE

Finding beautiful bathroom accessories at times can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to items like a toilet brush and the not-so-attractive plunger. You know we've all been there. But guess what? This sleek, modern—but with a twist of old-school practicality—bathroom trio by Josh Owen will make your bathrooms shine. The WC Line is a space-conscious and highly functional line of bathroom accessories that includes a waste bin, toilet brush and plunger—made from ultra durable silicone in a range of super cool colors. The design of all three pieces is so beautiful and simple that you won't feel the need to hide them but will want to proudly display for all to see and covet.

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THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL

Do you often debate if and how to add color to your walls? Don't worry, you're not alone. This five-letter word can make some people queasy. When looking to revamp your home, color is always a great way of injecting character and personality to a rather dull interior. So dare to play the color game with these neat tricks and ideas that will help you add life, charm and drama to your decor. Come on, you know you can do it.

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Let's Tango!

The votes are in!! Pantone has chosen Tangerine Tango as 2012 Color of the Year. This chic and delicious hue will be setting the tone for everything from fashion to decor next year. “Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.” You can energize your home with Tangerine Tango patterned home accents. Pillows, bedspreads and tabletop accessories in this high-impact hue will add drama and spice to any room. Or incorporate Tangerine Tango appliances and personal electronics for an unexpected pop of color. Looking for an inexpensive way to perk up your home? Paint a wall in in this color for a dynamic burst of energy in the kitchen, entryway or hallway. Here are some great pieces that will certainly fire up your decor.

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A New Operatic Star

Paris always has something new and fabulous to offer. When I read about the recent opening of L'Opera Restaurant in the Palais Garnier, I knew right away this was a mandatory stop in my four-day visit to the City of Lights. The project took 136 years in the making, since it was originally part of the "final draft" but never came to completion. Finally, Charles Garnier's dream came a reality when this magnificent space opened its doors this year with an ultra modern design orchestrated by architect Odile Decq. After seeing a phenomenal production of La Source by the Paris Opera Ballet, having dinner here was the perfect compliment to a wonderful evening. Inside, the space is divided into three different areas: the hall, the Martini lounge bar and the mezzanine –all surrounded by a floor-to-ceiling undulating veil of glass. Frankly, it was an absolute treat to dine in a space full of history and with such remarkable contrast between the old and the new. This restaurant is a wonderful addition to what already is an unbelievably breathtaking building.

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Zen-sational

This breathtaking loft is absolutely heavenly, a place to worship white and simplicity. Zen is the perfect word to describe the home of fashion designer Johanne Riis, who had the vision to transform a former warehouse into this incredible five-story multiple space where she now lives and works. The basement houses her atelier, the ground floor is where her shop and showroom are located, and the remaining three floors are dedicated to the living quarters. Without a doubt, there's a deep feeling of peace and serenity that surrounds all the areas, which are always changing thanks to the ingenious furniture solutions she created — like using ten individual tables to form one larger one for the dining room. Although most of the spaces are bathed in white, the sparce use of red and black tell the perfect story.

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Under The Danish Sun

Architects nowadays have no boundaries when designing homes to fit our modern lifestyle. This rather angular and unique house, set in the Danish woods, belongs to a family of four. The living area was designed as a big bright central room where the kitchen, dining and lounge area are located. Soaring floor to ceiling windows on either side of the space bathe the space with natural light all day long. The decor is quite simple yet striking, with the unexpected touch of red velvet curtains that soften the rather crisp black and white interiors — and with pops of sunny yellow throughout the house to add a ray of whimsy. Another delightful home I wanted to share with you today. Enjoy!

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